Yahoo Finance 30 gifts for bakers to take them from amateur to professional
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In the age of Nailed It and the Great British Baking Show, baking hobbyists are more inspired than ever. We all know someone who spends their weekends in the kitchen, covered in flour, working on the most intricate baking project.
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Help them own their baking projects by gifting them a new stand mixer, or giving them inspiration from baking masters, or even gifting them the most comfortable apron out there.
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Please note that many of these items could be in high demand as we head into the winter months. We recommend starting your holiday shopping early this year to make sure your items are still available—and to ensure that they'll arrive on time, as shipping could be delayed.
These are some of our favorite things to gift the baker in your life.
1. For the Star Baker: Kitchenaid 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
The gold standard of stand mixers is the coveted Kitchenaid. It’s our favorite stand mixer and will have you whipping cream, mixing cookies, and kneading doughs in no time at all. Gifting the baker in your life with a shiny new mixer is like a pot of gold. With a shield that will protect you from flour and eggs kicking out of the machine, you’ll be helping the baker in your life level up with this pick.
Get the Kitchenaid 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer at Kitchenaid for $429.99
2. For the person with limited counter space: Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed with Storage Case
For the bakers making the best out of a tiny kitchen with very limited counter space, go for a hand mixer. We've tested the best and the Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus is hands down our favorite. It has intuitive speed controls, mixes batters and doughs thoroughly, and the attachments can go in the dishwasher for easy clean-up.
Just another reason to love this mixer is its included storage case. This is perfect for storing it out of the way when not in use. It will keep all the pieces in one place so that when they reach for it all its attachments are in one place and they don’t have to go searching for that stray whisk attachment.
Get the Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed with Storage Case at Amazon for $79.95
3. For the whipped cream fiend: GIR 11-inch Ultimate Whisk
Chef and pastry pro Caroline Schiff tested out all the best whisks money can buy and the GIR 11-inch Ultimate Whisk checked all the boxes. At first glance, it’s a nice-looking whisk with a colorful handle but upon first stir they'll be impressed with the power behind this lightweight device. This whisk is well-designed and will have you or your giftee whipping cream faster than ever before.
The baker in your life always complaining about a sore elbow over too much whisking is going to appreciate the finer details of this professional-quality whisk.
Get the GIR 11-inch Ultimate Whisk at Amazon for $12.95
4. For the baker who already has it all: Danish dough whisk
I first came across the Danish Dough Whisk when TikToker Jeremy Scheck posted a video using it to blend together a delicious-looking batter. This funny-looking tool is both powerful and keeps the ingredients from getting caught among the wires—say goodbye to that electric mixer.
It’s great for bread and biscuits that go from wet, shaggy messes into a smooth, uniform dough.
Get the Acerich Danish Dough Whisk at Amazon for $4.59
5. For the person mixing out of a soup bowl: Cuisinart Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls with Lids
Don’t let your baker friends mix out of everyday bowls. Upgrade them with a set of metal mixing bowls that come with a set of lids. Here at Reviewed, we prefer metal mixing bowls over plastic or glass. They’re super durable, lightweight, and easy to store. While they can’t go into the microwave, you can use them as a double boiler on the stove to melt better or temper chocolate.
Plus the lids are a fantastic addition. They’re great to use if your giftee wants to store their dough or doesn’t want anything getting into it. When they're not using them to bake, they can mix up salads and even throw on a lid if they need to transport it to a potluck.
Get the Cuisinart Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls with Lids at Amazon for $36.94
6. For the person measuring with a mug: Bellemain Stainless Steel Measuring Cup Set
What makes a great measuring cup? Sturdy handles, a variety of measurement options, and a comfortable handle. After lots of testing, the Bellemain Stainless Steel Measuring Cup Set stood out as our favorite. They come on a removable chain so that your giftee can keep them organized while not in use and take them off when they're ready to use them.
They’ll fit easily inside containers of flour, oatmeal, and sugar. The metal won’t bend against even the firmest brown sugar so these will be measuring cups made to last.
Get the Bellemain Stainless Steel Measuring Cup Set at Amazon for $17.95
7. For the person who always has a pie in the oven: Emile Henry Modern Classics Pie Dish
For the baker in your life who is always whipping up tasty pies, surprise them with a beautiful pie dish that they’ll cherish. It has a simple but stunning design and the ceramic build crisps up flaky pie crusts to produce some absolute show stoppers. Versatility is key with this dish as it can withstand high temperatures. For a perfect lemon meringue pie, it can go under the broiler to toast the meringue. If they want to quickly reheat leftovers, the dish is microwave safe and once all the pies have been served, they can throw it in the dishwasher for the easiest clean-up.
Get the Emile Henry Modern Classics Pie Dish at Amazon for $39.95
8. For the person who is always baking a cake: Chicago Metallic Commercial II 9-inch Round Cake Pan
Cake connoisseurs will appreciate a professional cake pan that will last a lifetime. Heavy-duty aluminized steel makes for a durable design that perfectly bakes cakes evenly. It passed all our tests as the pans perfectly plopped out of the pan leaving behind minimal mess. They’re super easy to clean and will just need a quick wash after use. Grab a couple so that your giftee can whip up two or three-layer cakes in no time.
Get the Chicago Metallic Commercial II 9-inch Round Cake Pan at Amazon for $11.96
9. For the person with the best banana bread recipe: Rachael Ray Yum-o! Nonstick Oven Lovin' Loaf Pan
Get someone the gift they’d never think to get themselves. For a baker this might be a loaf pan with a rather silly name and unique look that will nonetheless turn out some of the best loaves they’ve ever baked. It has a non-stick coating that barely needed any greasing and the silicone on the handles added a good grip while taking the pan in and out of a hot oven.
Despite being non-stick, it’s oven safe up to 500 degrees so it can reach the high temperatures they need it to while still coming clean out of the pan.
Get the Rachael Ray Yum-o! Nonstick Oven Lovin' Loaf Pan at Amazon for $11.99
10. For the person who is rolling out dough with a bottle of wine: J.K. Adams Plain Maple Rolling Dowel
There’s magic in a perfect rolling pin. Something that will be gentle enough to stretch but not tear a super soft danish dough while also being about to have the sturdiness to pound out a laminated croissant dough. The J.K. Adams Plain Maple Rolling Dowel has everything we want in a rolling pin and will be a great addition to any baker's kitchen. It can be washed in the dishwasher for an easy clean-up but beware–at 19 inches long it can be hard to store so make sure the person you’re buying for has plenty of storage space.
Get the J.K. Adams Plain Maple Rolling Dowel at Amazon for $24.97
11. For the person who can't remember where their baking sheet came from: Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker's Half Sheet
With a near-perfect 5-star rating and more than 32,000 reviews on the internet, there’s a reason why the Nordic Ware baking sheets are the best around. These will last forever helping your giftee make perfecting tender pastries and cookies. They are not naturally the most non-stick so we recommend adding on some parchment paper when using. Thank us later when the parchment paper makes clean-up a breeze.
Get the Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker's Half Sheet at Amazon for $26.45
12. For the person who forgets to grease the pan: Smart Take 200 Piece Parchment Paper Set
Speaking of parchment paper, give the gift of no more curling parchment alongside those new baking sheets. There’s no more need to wrestle with the roll of parchment to tear off the right size piece. Instead, these pre-cut sheets fit perfectly on any half sheet tray. This pack also includes 9-inch round parchment sheets that will fit perfectly in a cake tin. This means no more tracing your cake tin to try and cut out a perfect circle. This basic but thoughtful gift will be much appreciated every time your giftee goes to use them.
Get the Smart Take 200 Piece Parchment Paper Set at Amazon for $11.99
13. For the person who prefers to hand mix: Di Oro Seamless Spatula
Made from a single piece of silicone, this durable but flexible spatula is an incredible addition to any baker's tool kit. Since it’s all one piece there’s no fear of the head breaking off from the handle when your giftee uses it in the thickest dough. During our tests, we loved how it scraped down the sides of bowls and could fit into every nook and cranny. It’s heat-safe up to 600 degrees so they can safely use it while cooking over heat. At the end of the day, they can throw it in the dishwasher for a thorough cleaning before doing it all over again.
Get the Di Oro Seamless Spatula at Amazon for $12.97
14. For the person with an unreliable oven: KT Thermo 3" Dial Oven Thermometer
For the baker who is also a renter, an oven thermometer is a total lifesaver. When living in a space with old or sometimes faulty appliances, making the best of them is about as much control you have. Since baking often requires careful precision especially when it comes to heat, getting an oven thermometer will help bakes stay tender and moist rather than raw or burnt. The KT Thermo Oven Thermometer is just right as it’s compact enough to stay out of the way while also having a clear face that makes it easy to read. We love that it comes with a hook so it can hang from the rack easily.
Get the KT Thermo 3-Inch Dial Oven Thermometer at Amazon for $12.20
15. For the person always covered in flour: Hedley & Bennett Crossback Apron
With all this flour being tossed around, it’s probably a good idea to get an apron that can endure it all. For the baker who always seems to be covered in their latest kitchen project, get them an apron fit for professionals. We tested out the best aprons of the moment and the Hedley & Bennett Crossback Apron is our favorite. It’s protective while still being lightweight (a.k.a. they won’t get overheated while in the kitchen). With the cross-back design, it won’t strain your loved one's neck and will stay comfortable all day. It’s machine washable for easy cleaning, and it has some flame-resistant qualities to keep them safe in the kitchen.
Get the Hedley & Bennett Crossback Apron at Hedley & Bennett for $95
16. For the person with one too many oven burns: Food52 Five Two Silicone Oven Mitts
Oven mitts are crucial for any baker who wants to protect themself against the heat of the oven. Our favorite oven mitts are from Food52. These run on the pricier side so they’re a generous gift for the baker who wouldn’t normally splurge on themselves.
The protective silicone simultaneously offers a solid gift and heat protectant as they'll reach in the oven. They also have a long design that perfectly protects the forearm and they’re washer and dryer-safe so they can be cleaned no problem.
Get the Food52 Five Two Silicone Oven Mitts at Food52 starting at $30
17. For the person who does it all: OXO Good Grips Multi-Purpose Scraper
In the back pocket of every professional chef is a bench scraper. Usually, they’re plastic and flexible so they can be tucked into an apron, however for the home cook, a metal scraper is a fantastic option. It has a sharp (but still safe!) blade that can cut up butter and then mix it into flour for flakey biscuits. Using handy measurements that are etched into the side of this tool, your giftee can quickly measure out portions and cut through them in no time. Stick doughs are lifted with ease when using the bench scraper. This professional-grade tool will be bound to up an at-home baker’s game.
Get the OXO Good Grips Multi-Purpose Scraper at Amazon for $10.58
18. For the person who uses a butter knife to ice a cake: OXO Icing Knife Set
An offset spatula also known as an icing knife is a multi-purpose tool. With its thin blade, it can wriggle under delicate bakes to loosen them from their pan. Its best-known use is for frosting baked goods like an expert. This set from OXO has a handle with a great grip that will keep your hand steady while frosting. This will make for a lovely kitchen upgrade for the baker who may still be using a butter knife to ice their masterful baked goods.
Get the OXO Icing Knife Set at Target for $15.99
19. For the sourdough superstar: Frieling Brotform Bread Rising Baskets
We all know someone who got very into bread making at the start of COVID. For the bread maker in your life who is still at it, a beautiful proofing basking will make all the difference in their process. They come in all shapes and sizes that can help with small round loaves to long French baguettes. Made from natural cane, these baskets help develop the shape that will be maintained throughout the baking process. These baskets are not just functional as they look beautiful and will look lovely stored in your kitchen when not in use.
Get the Frieling Brotform Bread Rising Baskets at Food52 starting at $29
20. For the master of cheesecakes: Hiware Springform Pan Set
If you know a baker with a particular love of cheesecake, then a springform pan will mean the world to them. Springform pans can separate the bottom of the pans from the walls making the release process a breeze when you have desserts that you can’t flip out of the pan. This particular option from Hiware came out on top during our pan testing as they thoroughly baked cakes of all sizes. Springform pans can sometimes pose a threat of leakage, however, these pans from Hiware did not falter and stayed leak-free.
Get the Hiware Springform Pan Set at Amazon for $19.99
21. For the person who secretly loves boxed cake mixes: Joy the Baker Sheet Cake Trio
When buying for a baker, it may seem like an odd choice to gift them cake mixes. But then again these aren’t just any boxed cake mix. This mix comes from professional food blogger and baker, Joy Wilson who has taken the internet by storm with her outrageously popular recipes since 2008. She now has a line of cake mixes at Williams Sonoma that we’ve tested and certainly approve of.
While they’re certainly pricier than what you find in the baking aisle of the grocery store, they’re a special treat for a fan of 'Joy the Baker.' And also… who doesn’t love cake made easy?
Get the Joy the Baker Sheet Cake Trio at Williams Sonoma for $59.85
22. For the person who wants to check their bakes like a pro: Ateco Stainless Steel Cake Tester Set
Another tool that you’ll find in the coats of chefs’ across all professional kitchens is a cake tester. These spindly little tools are just what you need to check the doneness of your latest bake. They slide into a baked good just like a butter knife and will let you know if your delectable treat is cooked through or still raw. They’re superior to testing out with a regular old butter knife because they leave such a small mark that they won’t disturb the perfect look of your bake. We personally recommend this one from Ateco which has tons of positive reviews.
Get the Ateco Stainless Steel Cake Tester Set at Amazon for $6.92
23. For the person trying to perfect their loaves of bread: Lodge 4.6-Quart Round Dutch Oven
A dutch oven may seem like it’s best for soups and stews, but it also shines during bread making. It helps develop a beautiful crust on loaves of country-style bread that are soft on the inside. Our best value dutch oven comes from Lodge and has the look of a much pricier piece with a far more affordable price tag. With proper care, this dutch oven will last you for years and give you endless loaves fresh out of the oven.
Get the Lodge 4.6-Quart Round Dutch Oven at Amazon for $69.90
24. For the person who always makes dozen of holiday cookies: OXO Good Grips 14-Piece Cookie Press Set
For the person who makes dozens and dozens of holiday cookies every year, a cookie press will transform their cookie making. Coming with a variety of disks that features designs from delicate flowers to holiday shapes, bakers can fill up the cylinder with their favorite dough and then press out beautifully designed cookies. They come out of the oven ready to be frosted, filled with jam, and eaten quickly.
Get the OXO Good Grips 14-Piece Cookie Press Set at Amazon for $33.93
25. For the perfectionist baker: Large Silicone Pastry Measurement Mat
Maybe there’s someone you know who loves precision and measurements, like that engineer or scientist friend of yours? Or maybe someone you know is trying to master the precise arts of French patisserie. If so, then a measuring mat will be much appreciated for those longing to get down to the exact measurements of baking. This pick offers measurements for both rectangular and circular doughs so whether you’re working with pie crust or croissants, you’ll be able to measure out each piece perfectly.
Get the Large Silicone Pastry Measurement Mat at Amazon for $11.98
26. For the person with a big time cookie operation: Nordic Ware Stackable Cooling Racks
Sometimes the worst part of baking is waiting for the delectable treats to cool before you can dig in. Coming from our favorite half sheet baking sheet maker, Nordic Ware makes a fantastic cooling rack. Gift it alongside a set of baking sheets so that your favorite baker has the perfect set-up. These racks are stacked on top of each other making them a smart option for those with limited counter space. The non-stock wires prevent baked goods from sticking so that your hard work stays flawless from start to finish.
Get the Nordic Ware Stackable Cooling Racks at Amazon for $27
27. For the person who wants to learn from the masters: Cookbooks from Pastry Legends
In San Francisco, Tartine is known for its spectacular baked goods. From their morning buns to artisan bread, the at-home baker will find great joy marveling in the recipes from the masters at Tartine. Gift Tartine’s Classic Cookbook for those who spend their weekends in the kitchen on intensive pastry projects. Or if you have someone who leans into breadmaking? Go for the Tartine Bread cookbook. Even better, gift them as a set for your loved one who will spend hours pouring over the pages.
28. For the person with a knack for precision: Escali Primo Precision Kitchen Food Scale
Baking at its finest is a precise art that requires detailed measurements. The professionals are usually measuring out down to the gram and for the person in your life who wants to get down to the detail, a kitchen scale will be a crucial tool. This scale from Escali offers measurements in grams, ounces, and pounds so you can measure out flour, sugar, and more to the finest detail. It comes in a compact size so that it can be easily tucked away. Or keep it out on your counter since it has a lovely design and can seamlessly blend in when on display.
Get the Escali Primo Precision Kitchen Food Scale at Amazon for $24.95
29. For the baker who needs a stage for their show-stopping bakes: Mosser Glass Cake Stand
The most beautiful decadent bakes deserve a show-stopping stand. These lovely pastel pieces come in different shapes and come with an optional glass cloche that will protect cakes from flies or a sneaky head reaching for a bite. For the person who is always taking Instagram-worthy shots of their baked goods, a gorgeous cake stand will help create a decorative scape. This particular one will be an instant heirloom that will last for years and looking stunning on the table on all special occasions.
Get the Mosser Glass Cake Stand at Food52 starting at $44
30. For the person hosting the cookie decorating parties: Holiday Cookie Cutters
Especially as the holiday season approaches, Christmas cookies are front of mind. For the person who is always whipping up a fresh batch, refresh their cabinet with a new set of cookie cutters. There are so many options but some of our favorites include a 12 piece set that has everything from candy canes to mittens to bells. For the person who loves cookies and Dolly Parton have a little fun with Dolly Parton’s Cookie Cutter Set from Williams Sonoma that’s inspired by the holidays at home in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Her set includes wreaths and guitar shapes so you too can have a rockin’ Christmas.
Get the Ultimate Holiday Cookie Cutter at Sur La Table for $29.95
Get the Dolly Parton Cookie Cutter Set at Williams Sonoma for $29.95
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This article originally appeared on Reviewed: Gifts for bakers: 30 items to take them from amateur to professional
